Fannie Lue Hollingsworth

Life Story

“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.” Psalm 91: 1-2 (KJV)

Fannie Callaham Hollingsworth was born on March 27, 1928 in Edgefield County, South Carolina.  She was the youngest of seven children of the late Willie and Reather Callaham.

She was educated in the public school system of South Carolina.

She was joined in holy matrimony at an early age to the late Walter Hollingsworth, Sr.  To this union seven children were born in the following order:  William, Rose, Larry, Sibel, Joann,
Walter, Jr. and Annella.  She also helped raise her nephew, James Holmes and niece, Loretha Mayfield.

She moved to Philadelphia in 1957 and took a job as a Sewing Machine Operator.  From 1966 until 1993 when she retired, she worked at the Defense Personnel Support Center starting as a Sewing Machine Operator and advancing to Supervisor and General Foreman.

 Fannie began her Christian journey at Cedar Spring Baptist Church in South Carolina at an early age.  She sang on the church choir alongside her mother.  After moving to Philadelphia, she continued her Christian journey at the Oak Grove Baptist Church in the 1980’s and became a member of the Senior Choir singing praises to the Glory of God.  She also attended Sunday School regularly.  Gospel singing was a large part of her life.  She and her sisters, Roseader Holmes and Lillie Mae Hollingsworth and Eddie Williams formed The Callaham Singers and sang at local churches.  She also sang with The Hollingsworth Singers which consisted of her three sons, William, Larry and Walter.

Sister Fannie Hollingsworth has been a member of the Order of the Eastern Star since 1975.   After her Grand Chapter closed in another affiliation, she swiftly became a member of Queen of Sheba Chapter #2, which is chartered by Mount Carmel Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star jurisdiction of the State of Pennsylvania, adopted by The Most Worshipful Keystone Grand Lodge, A.F.&A.M., Inc State of Pennsylvania.

Sister Fannie Hollingsworth was a frank, fearless, generous, passionate, faithful, loyal, and dedicated member.  She served in numerous positions throughout the jurisdiction of the State of Pennsylvania and our Supreme Affiliation.

These are her fraternal achievements.

She was the Worthy Matron of Queen of Sheba Chapter #2; the Grand Matron of Mount Carmel Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star; and the Royal Matron of Oziel Court #1 of the Amaranth.  She was the driving force in organizing the Chartered Royal Matron of Bethany Court #2 of the Amaranth.  She is an honorary Most Ancient Matron of Rahab Court #1 Heroines of Jericho; an Honorary Worthy Chief Counselor of Golden Gate Counselor #51 of the Ladies of Knight of Templar; and an honorary Most Worthy Grand Matron of Hope Court #1 Daughter of Sphinx.  She served as the Most Excellent Rose of Levi College #1 Rose of the Seven Seals.

In the Supreme affiliated departments she is a Past Supreme President of the Supreme Grand Council of Grand Chapters, Inc.; Past Supreme Chaplain of the Supreme Grand Court of the Amaranth; Past Supreme Grand Most Ancient Matron of the Supreme Grand Court Heroines of Jericho, Inc.; Past Supreme Worthy Chief Counselor and Supreme Queen of the Supreme Grand Encampment of the Ladies Knight of Templar; Past Most Worthy Grand Matron of the Supreme Grand Court of Ancient Arabic Daughter of Sphinx; Past Supreme Most Excellent Rose of the Supreme Grand College of the Roses of Seven Seals; Supreme Conductress, Order of Eastern Stars, and Supreme Lecturer, Daughter of Sphinx. She was without a doubt “Fairest Among Thousands Altogether Lovely.”

Fannie was famous for her stuffing, pineapple coconut cake, sweet potato pies, and coconut custard pies.  Hers was the house where the family congregated for Thanksgiving dinner to eat and watch football.  These get togethers will truly be missed.  She was an avid sports fan, especially baseball, football and basketball.  Her favorite football team is The Dallas Cowboys, her favorite baseball team is the Pittsburgh Pirates, and her favorite basketball team is the Golden State Warriors.

She was preceded in death by her four brothers, Willie, Warren, Emmanuel, and Fred Samuel Callaham; her sisters, Roseader Holmes and Lillie Mae Hollingsworth; her nephew, James Holmes; and grandson, John A. Simmons, Jr.

On September 22, 2021, God called her home from labor to rest.  Her memory will live on forever through the people she touched.  She leaves to cherish her memory her seven children, William (Andrenia), Rose Trotter, Larry (Ollivette), Sibel Broadnax (William), Joann Norris, Walter, Jr., and Annella, 23 grandchildren, 44 great grandchildren, 20 great-great grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, friends and her fraternal sisters and brothers.

Lovingly Submitted, The Family

“We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.”  2 Corinthians 5:8 (KJV)

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